Canada's big banks explore tokenized deposits in Canadian dollars

TORONTO - Canada’s big banks are exploring the development of Canadian dollar-based digital money, starting with a tokenized deposits initiative. Tokenized deposits are traditional bank deposits recorded on a decentralized database or distributed ledger, such as a blockchain. The plan seeks to deliver faster, more efficient and programmable payments to Canadian customers while preserving safety, stability and effective regulatory oversight. It means Canadian dollars could be converted into tokens on blockchain for easier transfers, said Claire Célérier, Canada Research Chair in household finance at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management. “My understanding is that the six banks will share the same blockchain, and so it implies that transactions can be made instantaneously across wallets with tokens,” she said. Bank of Montreal, CIBC, National Bank, Royal Bank, Scotiabank and TD Bank are taking a collaborative approach to the project.